Recently the media has shared many stories on the town hall meetings which are taking place all across the country. Many are challenging those who come to protest against national health care reform; both as it stands and as it has been proposed. Critics of these protesting voices claim their messages are unAmerican and are not a part of the democratic process. I could not disagree more. I would like to share another debate which took place in a public forum; one which, I believe, sets the stage for similar public displays of democracy for the many generations to follow.
A man stood before a respectable gathering to share his opinion on the state of government.
Hesitantly he began, "Caesar had his Brutus; Charles the First his Cromwell; and George the Third..."
"Treason!" cried the speaker.
But the man continued on, unfettered by the challenge, "... may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it."
These are the words of Patrick Henery. The man who, in another public display of democracy, also spoke the heroic words, "Give me Liberty or give me death!"
Certainly Patrick Henry is one of the most "American" people in our nation's history. Why? He stood up for and defended the principles which he held dear. This is what it means to be American. The opposite is truly unAmerican, to sit idly by and do nothing while the principles for which you stand erode with time and neglect. Apathy is unAmerican.
Never let anyone say you are unAmerican for taking a stand and fighting for what you believe. They are wrong. This country was founded on debate and discussion. When you participate in these activities, you are displaying the exact qualities which defined the greatest Americans there ever were. Those who try to silence debate; therein lie the enemies of the United States.
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